ST. PETERSBURG — After an extended 2008 season that was marked by injury and inconsistency, Rays left-hander Scott Kazmir is going to start this season by pitching for the U.S. team in the World Baseball Classic, and he'll be joined by reliever J.P. Howell.

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Kazmir said the strict pitch counts and light game schedule limited any concerns and made him eager to accept manager Davey Johnson's invitation.

"It's something I wanted to do. Just to be able to be part of the WBC and have a chance to represent my country, it's going to be awesome," Kazmir said. "This is going to be just like spring training would have been. The intensity will be a lot higher, but there's not going to be that many pitches (thrown), so I think we'll be fine."

Howell was initially unsure about participating but changed his mind after he recently started throwing and also is excited: "I feel good enough."

Kazmir and Howell will open spring training with the Rays in mid February but join the U.S. team for workouts (in Clearwater) starting March 2 and could be gone for more than three weeks if the U.S. team reaches the finals.